George D. Durrant

Set in a small, rural town at the time of the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1941, this novella aimed at a younger audience deals with sentiment for and against Japanese Americans. Jake's growing maturity as he struggles with peer acceptance and his own inner convictions is nicely shown, without making him unrealistic. The vernacular language is done well, but is not my favorite. It got in the way of my reading by continually calling attention.

5 STARS

This is a powerful 29 pages. It made me smile, cry and think of many of my Christmas memories on both sides. Love the power of Giving in secret and receiving too.

One Christmas Sam had lost his job but he did not want any charity. He stayed up late to catch anyone who was going to give his family any gifts. Than he fell asleep. Christmas had come and left stuff inside his house. His kids were excited. Sam was mad he called the sheriff.

Sam finally felt the Christmas spirit. He gave show more the rest of his life but always wanted to do in secret and not get caught.

This story touched me. That even rethinking about the story brings the tears again.

I think this would be a good book for the family to read. I think we all need to learn to give in secret maybe not as great a gift as Sam gave but whatever we can. All the giving and receiving of gifts in secret sure spread the joy of Christmas. May we all have Sam's Christmas Wish all year long.

I have to say the illustrations by Dan Burry are beautiful. I would hang almost any of them on my walls.

I was given this book to read so I could give an honest review and be a part of Sam's Christmas Wish by George Durrant show less

If you wonder why I picked this up, do yourself a favor and listen to this.

You'll also discover what this book could be, and is, like.

You can thank me later.